Check-stub clip



Jan. 21, 1930. c. L. FRIEL CHECK STUB CLIP Filed April 20, 1928 Patented Jan. 21 1930 UNITED STATES CLAUDE L, FRIEL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS CIIECILSTUB CLIP Application filed April 20,

This invention relates to a clip for holding the stubs of a check-book folded back in open condition.

The main objects of this invention are to provide a holder for the stubs of check-books and the like, which is simple and inexpensive in form and which can be quickly and easily inserted at any point in a book to hold up the stubs in such manner as to permit the succeeding page to be freely written upon; and to provide a device of this class which is held in place by friction and the pressure of the check stubs being retained thereby.

An illustrative embodiment of this invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which: V

Figure 1 is an edge elevation of a checkbook with the improved clip in position thereon holding the stubs folded back.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the same.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged view in perspective of the clip alone.

F l is an enlarged section taken on the line 4% of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on the line 5-5 of 8.

Heretofore in the use of check-books, the tendency of the stubs to interfere with the filling out of additional checks and stubs has been a well recognized annoyance. The stubs are necessarily short and being tightly bound in the check-book are very difficult to hold back out of the way. To overcome this. various forms of spring wire clips which engage the stubs have been used. These spring clips usually require the stubs to be tucked under them and when a substantial number of the check stubs have accumulated the combined strength of he stubs is sutiicient to overcome the gripping action of the spring clip, with the result that the stubs slip out of its grip.

In the present construction, the result is exactly the opposite. The clip will support a single stub and the greater the number of r stubs that are retained by the clip, the better the clip will function. This is by reason of the fact that the clip is substantially L-shape in construction and the toe of its supporting foot is slipped under the check stubs closely adjacent their bound edges. The pressure of 1928. Serial No. 271,429.

the retained stubs against the upstanding leg of the device causes it to bear down and engage the surface upon which it is placed. The more power the check .stubs exert against the upstanding leg, the tighter the clip will enthe surface upon which it is placed and the greater will be its friction thereon.

In the construction shown in the drawings, the improved device comprises a fiat strap folded back upon itself to form a toe portion 1 which is of thin wedge shape in longitudinally vertical section and is adapted to he slipped or wedged into the crack that is formed when the check stubs are turned back closely adjacent their bound edges. One branch of the strap extends rearwardly from the toe and is slightly curved to form a rockerlike bearing surface in the form of a foot or base 2. The face of this bearing surface is provided with a multiplicity of fine sharp inclined teeth 3 which tend to bite into and grip the surface upon which the device is placed when pressure is exerted upon the clip.

The portion which forms the bearing sur face or base is then abruptly bent upwardly and forwardly at an acute angle from the heel 4 to form a leg 5 which bears against and re as the check stubs 6 in open folded-over pOSl'ulOll shown particularly in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings.

The other branch of the flat strap is bent in to form a curved brace portion 7 which e tends from the too 1 across the angle between the foot and leg to meet and support the leg 5 at point distant from the heel bend t. Said branch preferably extends along the leg 5 in parallel contact therewith and is secured thereto by flush headed rivets or spot welds 8 and 9. The upper end of the leg may be somewhat pointed as shown at 10 and one edge of the leg is preferably beveled off as shown at 11 so that said device may also be used as a letter opener if desired.

In the use of this device in a check-book 12 the hook is opened and the stubs 6 folded back with one hand and a clip is inserted or slipped at right angles into the crack between the raised stubs and the combined checks and stubs which remain in a horizontal position. The toe 1 of the clip is pushed Iii) well back adjacent the bound edge 13 of the check-book and the stubs 6 released. The tendency of the stubs 6 to push against the leg 5 rocks the clip slightly on its curved base 2 and the pressure of the stubs bearing against the leg 5 and on the toe 2 causes the teeth 3 to bite into and engage the surface upon which the clip rests. The greater the number of check stubs bearing against the clip, the tighter it will grip the surface of the paper and the deeper the teeth 3 will bite into such surface.

Although but one specific embodiment of this invention has been herein shown and described, it will be understood that details of the construction shown may be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of this invention as defined by the following claim.

I claim:

A check-book stub holder comprising a narrow strip of metal, a foot portion having a toe at its torw rd end for insertion between the stubs of a book adjacent the bound edge thereof formed on said strip of metal, an inclined leg on the rear end of said foot portion extending rear *ardly in the direction of said foot portion for hearing against upturned stubs, the rear end portion of said foot being spaced from the bound edge of said book for forming a fulcrum at the end of said leg, a brace between the foot and leg portions for reinforcing the same and for preventing upturned stubs from bearing rearwardly against said leg near the fulcrum thereof, and teeth on said foot in close proxilnity to the fulcrum of said leg adapted to be urged "ito grimuing position by leverage exerted by the leg when the stubs bear thereagainst.

Signcd at Chicago this 17th day of April,

CLAUDE L. FRIEL. 

